WHILE road safety in Pakistan is overall poor, the situation is particularly acute on the high-altitude thoroughfares of Gilgit-Baltistan. After all, this beautiful region can be a challenge to navigate by road, and the combination of a rugged terrain, natural disasters and human error poses significant dangers to commuters coming from and going to the area. A tragic accident illustrates the hazards involved. At least eight people were killed after a vehicle carrying tourists from Punjab fell into a ravine near Babusar Top in Diamer last week. Officials said speeding was a key factor behind the tragedy. This is only the latest in a series of deadly accidents in this region. According to figures published in this paper, at least 45 people were killed in accidents on different GB routes during July. The affected thoroughfares include the Karakoram Highway, Babusar Pass, and Juglot-Skardu road.

There are a number of factors contributing to the high rate of accidents on GB’s roads. The terrain is so difficult that only expert drivers familiar with the region and the hazards that lie on the route should be allowed to operate vehicles on these roads. As mentioned in news reports, many of the recent accidents have involved drivers from outside the region, who are not familiar with the terrain. Also, there needs to be greater emphasis on obeying traffic rules, as speeding and rash driving on high-altitude routes is a recipe for disaster. Some reports suggest that the state plans to deploy Motorway Police on key GB routes to improve road safety conditions. This, along with ensuring that only experienced drivers familiar with the local geography are operating vehicles, can help prevent deadly accidents. Moreover, the area is prone to landslides and other natural disasters. The requisite equipment must be in place to help clear routes as soon as possible to prevent commuters from getting stranded in the midst of remote, towering mountains.

Published in Dawn, August 1st, 2023